Marriage is a big step in people’s lives. Although marriage rates have been decreasing throughout the years, it’s estimated that five people out of a thousand still get married today. However, being married comes with a lot of different responsibilities. Not only do you have to worry about your well-being, but you also have to take care of your partner. This can be a lot of pressure for some people.
On top of that, there are also a lot of different laws that married couples have to follow. These laws can be confusing and difficult to understand. Here are some of the different types of statutes faced by married couples. Hopefully, this will help clear up some confusion and help you better understand your rights and responsibilities.
Most Common Laws
There are many different types of laws faced by married couples. Some of these laws are federal, while others are state-specific. However, here are some of the most common types of laws faced by married couples:
Tax Laws
One of the most important things to consider when you are married is how your taxes will be affected. When married, you will generally be taxed at a lower rate than if you were single. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if you or your spouse has a high income, you may pay more taxes than if you were single. It’s also vital that you know about the marriage tax penalty.
Marriage Tax Penalty
This tax penalty is something that affects many married couples. This means your taxes will be higher if you are married than if you are single. Unfortunately, this can be true even if you have a lower income as a couple than you did by yourself. However, there are some ways to help reduce the marriage tax penalty. For example, filing jointly can lower your tax rate. Additionally, getting a lawyer specializing in taxes might help you with your penalties.
Inheritance Laws
Another vital thing to consider is what will happen to your assets if one of you passes away. If you do not have a will, your assets will be distributed according to the laws of your state. This means that your spouse may not inherit everything that you want them to inherit. Here are the most common inheritance laws in the United States.
Community Property
This particular law states that both spouses own marital property and assets equally. This means that no matter who earned more money or contributed more to the household, everything is split evenly between you and your spouse.
Common Law
If you live in a community property state and are married under common law, your assets will be divided using the same rules. However, there can be some exceptions to this rule. For example, if you have a prenuptial agreement or make other arrangements beforehand, these rules may not apply.
Divorce Laws
Unfortunately, not all marriages last forever. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to get divorced, it is essential to understand the divorce laws in your state. These laws can vary significantly from state to state, so you must educate yourself on the specific laws in your state. This way, you can ensure that the divorce process goes as smoothly as possible and that you end up with what you are entitled to under the law. Additionally, it’s essential to know about two laws surrounding divorce.
Prenuptial Agreement
A prenuptial agreement is a contract you have with your spouse before marriage. This contract will outline what happens to assets if the marriage ends in divorce. For example, it might state that certain assets are only shared by one person or can be inherited by children from a previous relationship.
Child Custody
Child custody laws state that children have the right to have a relationship with both parents, regardless of whether their parents are married or divorced. However, if you get divorced, you must agree with your spouse regarding child custody and visitation rights.
Lastly, it’s essential to know that divorce is a long and winding process. In most cases, it might be better to hire an experienced divorce lawyer to help you out. The lawyer can help ensure you don’t miss any important deadlines or details and can help navigate the process for a smoother experience. They might even help you settle the divorce without needing to court.
As you can see, many different types of laws are faced by married couples. Unfortunately, these laws can be confusing and difficult to understand. However, educating yourself on these laws is vital to ensure that you take advantage of all the benefits available to you as a married couple and avoid any potential problems down the road.
